Though it’s not the most exotic study abroad location, and the weather isn’t always perfect, England is still pretty unbeatable. It’s similar enough the U.S. that you won’t feel completely out of place (example: you don’t have to learn a new language to survive there), but there are also plenty of differences that make England an incredible country for studying abroad. Here are just a few of the reasons you shouldn’t count England out, even if you’re only going abroad for a few weeks:
1. London
I don’t have much experience with big cities, but London is easily the most amazing city I’ve ever visited. There are shops and restaurants everywhere, it’s easy to get from one end to the other (just hop on the Tube), and the whole city is packed with history. It’s not uncommon to walk down a street with buildings from the 1700s (or maybe even further back) right next to more modern structures, and that’s something you don’t see everyday in the U.S.
2. The History
I didn’t realize how young the United States is until I visited England. 250 years sounds like a long time, but it can’t compare to thousands of years. One of the best parts of England is walking into a beautiful church or cathedral, then finding out that it was built in the 1000s. Try as we might, it’ll be awhile before the U.S. has any thousand-year-old churches.
3. The Food
I’ve heard people complain before, but I loved all of the food I had while in England. True, it’s a little blander than in the United States, but they’ve also got quite a few amazing dishes that aren’t really around in the U.S. Besides fish and chips, there are also meat pies, custard, and sticky toffee pudding, all delicious. Scotch egg, anyone?
4. The Architecture
I’m biased, since I was in a class on Gothic literature, and as such saw tons of Gothic architecture. But still, almost all of the buildings you’ll see are unbelievable. Westminster Abbey is just the tip of the iceberg—there’s also Tower Bridge, Tintern Abbey (in Wales), and Winchester Cathedral (Winchester). Just about every time you turn around, you’ll be impressed.
5. There’s more than just London
When you’re in England, it’s important to visit London—it’s one of the greatest cities in the world. But there are also a number of smaller towns and villages that are worth the trip as well. Bath is gorgeous, and you can see the Roman Baths (and drink the water!), which were created thousands of years ago. Rochester and Winchester are also worth a visit, while Harry Potter fans might enjoy seeing a few of the filming locations in Lacock Village. And consider hiking on the moors in Dartmoor—it’s cold, muddy, and windy, but the view is spectacular and totally worth every splash of mud on your pants.
